British actor Kenneth Colley, known for his role in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Monty Python’s Life of Brian, has passed away at the age of 87.

According to his agent, Julian Owen, Colley was admitted to hospital with a hand injury when he subsequently contracted COVID-19. He later developed pneumonia and died peacefully on Monday, June 30, surrounded by friends.

“It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of Kenneth Colley,” said Owen in a statement. “He died at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 30, at a hospital in Ashford, Kent. Ken Colley was one of the finest character actors, with a career spanning over six decades. He worked prolifically across stage, film, and television, portraying an extraordinary range of characters—from Jesus in Monty Python’s Life of Brian to sinister or eccentric figures in the films of Ken Russell, as well as the Duke of Vienna in Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure for the BBC.”

A Life in Film and Television

Colley began his acting career in the early 1960s and steadily built a distinguished résumé across British television and international cinema. He is perhaps best known for portraying Admiral Piett in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. As the ambitious Imperial officer, Colley’s character stood toe-to-toe with the fearsome Sith Lord Darth Vader—a role that earned him recognition among Star Wars fans worldwide.

Born in Manchester, Lancashire, Colley made one of his early television appearances in the acclaimed 1970s police drama The Sweeney. He gained further prominence for his portrayal of Jesus in Monty Python’s Life of Brian, following an earlier appearance in the Pythons’ The Testing of Eric Olthwaite.

Colley leaves behind a legacy of versatile and nuanced performances that enriched British theatre and film, marking him as a memorable and much-respected figure in the acting world.